It cannot be denied that social media has become more popular than ever in today's contemporary society, however its influence is never more noticeable than on the next generation. Young people today are spending almost two hours per day browsing social networks and the average teenager is spending about 27 hours per week online, so it isn't hard to see how social media has become such a prominent part of the next generation's lives. While young people may not see anything beyond the fun of being able to share experiences and interact with others, they should be considering both the negative and positive effects of sites like Facebook and Twitter on their lives and on the long term future of society as a whole.

In today's supposedly enlightened society, it may not surprise you to learn that the number of interracial relationships has massively increased over the last few decades. In fact, according to recent official statistics, the number of marriage ceremonies carried out that are classified as “interracial” has tripled since 1980, with more than one in ten weddings being between those from different races. Yet, despite the apparent normality of the situation, it appears that those from different cultures who decide to try to make a go of their relationship often face discrimination, often from unexpected sources including family and friends. It is clear to see that, even though society's tolerance and understanding of diversity has progressed in leaps and bounds over the last half century, there are still many pitfalls to be expected when entering into an interracial relationship. In this article, we look at some of the common problems faced by couples from different ethnic backgrounds and ways of overcoming them.

Racism is not a new phenomenon, however in today's modern world which claims to be enlightened in so many ways, it can come as a surprise that it still exists and even thrives within some communities. While many people are happy to embrace diversity and appreciate the differences between those of different religions and colours, there are many others who see those of other races as a threat and the effect of this intolerance on our society can have far reaching consequences. While racism on a personal level can cause disruption through offensive comments, poor attitudes and occasionally violent outbursts, when it happens on a governmental scale there can be major consequences. When racial discrimination occurs at a national level, we see atrocities such as ethnic cleansing, persecution, discrimination through the judicial system and detrimental segregation laws. There is no denying that racism can be devastating to the culture and well-being of a country, causing economic and moral upheaval. If hatred is allowed to thrive within a society, its negative effects stretch through every part of everyday life.